Calls grow for urgent reform as suspended police officers cost taxpayers millions

South Africa is paying a steep price for slow justice in its police service.

Professor Somadoda Fikeni, Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, says the suspension system is a 'haemorrhaging of public resources', with over R25 million in salaries paid to officers between 2024 and 2025 - even to those facing charges of corruption, rape, and hijacking.

He warns that prolonged suspensions leave critical roles unfilled, create opportunities for abuse, and frustrate frontline officers.

"This is untenable. In fact, it's quite a disaster. You cannot have in any other country that is serious about statecraft and serious about resource management, people who are on suspension for so long. "

He is urging the government to speed up disciplinary processes and enforce lifestyle audits for sensitive positions.

Fikeni argues that systemic reform is needed to restore accountability and efficiency in the police. 

"It can be fixed quickly. In this country, I do think that there is a political economy of inefficiency. There are people who are well-suited, and it's their business model for these inefficiencies, where everything is delayed. If you look at other countries, such things do not happen.

"We often as a country confuse vibrant democracy with vibrant anarchy."

He is calling for a comprehensive overhaul of disciplinary and oversight procedures to prevent further drain on taxpayers.

To listen to Fikeni in conversation with 702's Ray White, use the audio player below: